Okay, yeah, but?

.
.
I am hung up on a decision, perhaps several.  I have a tent now, but it's a bit big for solo backpacking.  I was going to loan it out, but at 15 pounds, was it, that might be a bit much.  Oh, sure, there are three who are going.  They could split it out.  I think they'll be looking for something lighter.  Now, for a summer tent, it's a tank.  Light or strong, really, is the choice.  Sliding scales apply.  Anywho, just by size, it was a bit big for me to wish to pack.  So I started looking.

I looked at smaller tents, bivvies (of the tent style), and then decided to review hammocks.  Okay, most smaller tents are pretty weak.  So, if I wanted to go weak, I'd at least go manageable.  The bivy that caught my attention is made by Snugpak.  The same makers as my backpack.  A name I trust.  They started out making mostly military gear, over there (UK), but then branched out into the civilian market.  They might be a bit overpriced, in one sense.  But quality has a cost.  My experience suggest the quality and cost, for their gear, generally lines up.  Ah, the tent itself.

Well, okay.  I almost had that settled when I remembered I have been thinking about buying a hammock for some number of years.  So... I began looking those over.  Do they make hammocks I would be comfortable using?  I weigh nearly 300, and I'm not on the shorter side.  Most seemed long enough.  And I did find some that could handle my weight easily enough, with a hundred pounds to spare.  I found enough kit to satisfy an initial foray into hammock camping... no-see-um netting, the right tie-offs, and all.

I remind, all things require more things.  Even if you buy a "complete kit", it's never complete.  Ever.  So I considered this, that, and the other thing, which would be required for each, probably both.  Guy lines so as to be able to use all the tie-outs, a strong light tarp (good for tents, necessary for hammocks), better (than typical) stakes, and a few other items.  Then I had to stop and think about use.

A hammock is great, unless you can't find something to anchor it high enough to be elevated.  And a tent is great, unless you can't find a flat enough spot to set it up.  This bivy tent doesn't take much, but it does take some space.  I have been flitting from idea to notion without finding resolution.  I have looked at youtube videos for both, read reviews, considered this and that, tabulated costs... Exhausting.  And still no resolution.  Both?  Together they would still weigh a third (pack, not packaged weights) of my current tent... give or take a pound (give, but hush).  They both set up easily, assuming there is a place to set them up.  I just don't know.

Further, I have been looking at other ways to cook.  I have a multi-fuel stove.  It's finicky, and to my mind fragile.  So I have been looking at other types of stoves.  The tangine is one, the strongest, contender.  Having both offers redundancy.  Around these parts, at certain times of the year, fire is a major hazard.  So having a safer way to cook is important.  As well, I don't actually have any reasonable camp cookware, not for packing.  Titanium?  Maybe.  The price isn't too much worse than stainless, if the size goes down.  A windscreen for either camp stove would be good, especially one that can also be used with a standard small fire.  Redundancy, you see.  But also looking for a number of systems to try.  What works here might not work as well there, or at this or that altitude or temperature. 

So... that has what has occupied my time.  If I buy both, it will take a bit of wind out of my sails, though no great ding, just a serious sting.  Next month I could finish buying the camping gear, so be fully ready to go out.  If I can get back to hiking, I should even be ready for my first overnight.  At least on the trail.  I may head out and car camp before that.  Hmm... just baffled at all and the contrary choices available.  Just not sure.  I am really thinking about pulling the trigger on both.  It would simply offer much more flexibility, if it would take another month before I could finish the gearing.  And, to think, I'll still need a winter tent!  Both are, or are capable of, four season, but I wouldn't push that, not around these parts.  Maybe where winter weather means slightly below freezing, but not in these mean old mountains.  They'd find a popsicle shaped like an ogre.  Even me. 

There is hope I can learn to do with less, in time.  Winter camping can be done with dug snow caves.  Summer can be done with a cheap tarp and a few wool blankets.  Gear will vary.  But... you don't head out camping with the expectation of just surviving without fresh experience or training anymore then you head out on a four day hike not having hiked in a year.  Make sure you have enough to easily (more easily) survive before jumping off that cliff.  Even if you only lose a foot, hand, or toe or finger.  Just not worth it.  You know, when you get frostbit, it doesn't stop even if they get the dead flesh off before it goes bad.  It'll remain with you for months, years, perhaps longer for some.

Anyway... that's what I have been up to.  Bedtime now.  Good night.